Why I Love Nahant
A Memories Project submission by Marilyn Mahoney
For my entire life, Nahant has always had a very special place in my heart. When I was growing up on the other side of the causeway, Nahant Beach was a recreational playground luring my family and friends for a “day at the beach”.
I have many fond memories of surfing the waves, building sand castles, getting buried in the cool sand, picnicking on the cement tables, digging for clams, reaching for the sky on the swings and stopping for a delicious ice cream at Rolands for the energy necessary to sustain us during our long walk home. During my high school years, many Nahant students (enrolled in Lynn with a choice of high schools) and Lynn students flocked to the golden sands to hang out together at the beach. Fireplaces were gravitated to by St. Mary’s, Classical and English High School students who arrived with beach towels and home made baby oil and iodine sun screen to create memories together. It was so much fun getting to know everyone from both communities and sharing quality time together. That experience bound us with lifelong friendships.
A list of a few, among many, treasured memories:
Kevin Salt chauffeuring many of us in his grandfather’s antique car to and from the bathhouse.
Yearly bike rides led by Joan Kennedy to Forty Steps for day long exploration and picnicking on the rocks.
A list of a few handsome Nahant lifeguards, of course, my brother-in-laws Ted and Brian Mahoney, and Miles Leavitt.
The historic female transformation from the one piece bathing suits to the modest two-piece bathing suits and ultimately to the revealing bikinis.
A humorous “pearl of wisdom” from the Notre Dame Nuns at St. Mary’s Girl’s High. While their convent was getting renovated, the nuns commuted daily across the causeway taking in all of the sights on route to their temporary residence at the Patterson Estate. As a result of their eyes being opened, the girls got daily lectures about the hope that “Marion” women better not be among the sinners making out in the parked cars in the dark along the three mile stretch of the causeway.
Little did I know then, that my future marriage to Bill Mahoney would bring me across the causeway to reside in our beautiful home. How blessed both Bill and I, and our three sons have been, to live on this breathtakingly beautiful peninsula hugged by the ocean.
Our children were fortunate to repeat history, creating their own special memories on the beaches, at the parks, plucking mussels off the rocks, searching East Point for salamanders, mustering up the courage to jump off the wharf. and learning how to fish and sail on the ocean with family and friends. Nahant is truly a peaceful refuge offering all of us separation from the chaotic world encroaching on our border.
It is my prayer that we all give thanks for our beautiful community and we unite to preserve and protect Nahant for future generations. I believe we all chose to live in Nahant because we all love Nahant. I know I do. Nahant is truly a piece of heaven on earth!